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One of Akita's most famous winter spots is Lake Tazawa Ski Resort. As its name suggests, it is a ski slope that offers a panoramic view of Lake Tazawa and is spread across the slopes of Mount Komagatake
The courses are divided into sections for beginners and advanced skiers, so anyone can enjoy the slopes safely. It is also designed so that children can play safely, so it is popular with families
This time, we will introduce you to a ski resort with spectacular views surrounded by the naturally rich Mount Komagatake
We recommend parking your car at Kamoshika
Lake Tazawa Ski Resort has two slopes, "Kamoshika" and "Ginrei." Each has its own parking lot, but we recommend "Kamoshika."
If you start from the foot of the mountain, you will first come to Ginrei, which can get quite crowded. If you go a little further to Kamoshika, you will find that the parking lot is more open and the walk to the slopes is shorter
A ski resort where children can enjoy themselves safely
A slope exclusively for children
Right next to the Rera ski center there is a small slope for children, which is a place for sledding only
Many parents feel scared to let their young children play in a place where adults are sledding at high speeds, but here, there are only young children on sleds, so you can let your children play safely
Sledding together and playing in the snow
The sleds you can rent at Rera are quite long, so you can sit comfortably on the sled with your child. Your child will be excited to ride along with you
Be sure to join in and enjoy sledding with your kids. When children find something fun, they tend to want to do it over and over again
It's perfect for adults who don't get enough exercise on a daily basis. Even though it's a small slope, you can burn a lot of calories by repeatedly climbing up and down it
It can be a bit intimidating to let small children try skiing or snowboarding straight away, so we recommend starting with a simple sled to get them used to the snow, and then moving up a gear
Kids' Room
There is also a kids' room on the first floor of the ski center, so families with children who are not yet old enough to ski can leave their children there with peace of mind
The appeal of Lake Tazawa Ski Resort is that you can go empty-handed. If you take the Akita Shinkansen Komachi, you will arrive at the nearest station, Tazawako Station, from Tokyo in about three hours
From Tazawako Station, take the Ugo Kotsu bus, with its beautiful red and white color scheme. You'll arrive at Lake Tazawa Ski Resort in about 30 minutes
The appeal is that it feels like a picnic outing. You don't need skis, ski wear, gloves, or a hat
You can rent everything from skis to ski wear
You can rent a complete set at the rental location on the first floor of the Ski Center
This facility is managed by the world-famous ski brand FISCHER, so you can rent high-quality ski equipment in a stylish space
A full set can be rented for 7,000 yen per day for adults and 4,200 yen per day for children
Of course, there is a wide selection of products for children as well
There are many ski sizes available for children. As children are weaker than adults, the general rule is to choose skis that are 10cm shorter than their height
For example, if you are 110cm tall, a 100cm ski would be suitable. For snowboarding, it is best to subtract 20cm from your height. In other words, a 90cm snowboard would be a good guideline for a child who is 110cm tall
In addition to size, if you have trouble deciding which one to choose because there are so many different types, be sure to ask the staff for advice. They will kindly provide you with expert advice
We offer ski lessons that teach you the basics
At Lake Tazawa Ski Resort, there is a ski school called Lake Tazawa Ski School, which offers lessons for both adults and children. It is especially recommended for adults who have just started skiing and elementary school children who are just starting out, as it allows them to learn the basics thoroughly
The half-day course (2 hours) is popular and casual, costing 4,000 yen for adults and 4,500 yen for elementary school students
The roots of Lake Tazawa Ski Resort
It has a long history, having opened in 1969. It is one of Japan's leading ski resorts, having hosted the National Athletic Meet and the All Japan Ski Championships, and the Mogul World Cup every year since 2015
The facilities have been renovated many times, so it doesn't feel outdated compared to its history, and instead has a modern atmosphere
The ski center was renovated in 2017
In particular, the ski center "Rera" has been renovated and upgraded since December 15, 2017
The facility is designed to be friendly to women, with a women-only powder room and locker room
Furthermore, the ever-popular restaurant "Shirakaba" on the second floor is very stylish, with Akita cedar used throughout and a high ceiling. The floor is carpeted, with a cool design that makes it non-slip
Enjoy a warm meal at Shirakaba
At the restaurant "Shirakaba," the "Lake Tazawa Ramen with Thick Sauce," "Yakitori Donburi," and "Omurice" are popular dishes. The grilled cheese curry is also popular for warming up the body
Many people enjoy Lake Tazawa's local beers, "Lake Tazawa Beer" and "Lakeside Forest Beer." If you're not coming by car, be sure to give them a try
Relax your body and mind at Mizusawa Onsen
Directly below the ski resort is the famous Mizusawa Onsen hot spring area. As soon as you step into the hot spring area, you'll be hit by the smell of sulfur. Smoke rises from everywhere
There are many hotels and inns here, but Komagatake Onsen is particularly symbolic and highly recommended. You can enjoy the milky white sulfur hot springs in an open-air bath along the river. The hot springs are also highly regarded for their therapeutic effects
INFORMATION
name
Komagatake Hot Springs
location
80-68 Shimotakano, Ihonouchi, Lake Tazawa, Senboku City, Akita Prefecture
This time, we have introduced Lake Tazawa Ski Resort, a representative panoramic ski resort in Akita. You can look down on Lake Tazawa from every slope, and enjoy skiing while taking in the beautiful scenery
You can spend a comfortable time at the attached ski center, where you can fully enjoy the appeal of the popular "gere food" (slope meals)
After enjoying skiing, be sure to stop by Mizusawa Onsen. The abundant hot springs that spring from the beautiful natural surroundings will warm your chilled body from the inside out
*The ski resort will open on December 21st, 2018
INFORMATION
name
Lake Tazawa Ski Resort
location
73-2 Shimotakano, Ihonouchi, Lake Tazawa, Senboku City, Akita Prefecture
I'm a member of the Neft editorial team. I love alcohol, music, and traveling, so I indulge in some drinks after work on weekdays, and on weekends, if I have free time, I travel to nearby areas. I work hard every day with the goal of eventually traveling overseas to find connections to Tohoku through NEFT reporting.
